VehicleVerdict

2002 Acura RL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 54 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median RL year — the 2002 model ranks #3 of 18 RL years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 18 reports (33% of the total).

54

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other RL years?

RL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted153 complaints1996: 26 complaints1997: 24 complaints1998: 16 complaints1999: 26 complaints2000: 79 complaints2001: 12 complaints2002: 54 complaints2003: 11 complaints2004: 16 complaints2005: 153 complaints2006: 39 complaints2007: 24 complaints2008: 14 complaints2009: 14 complaints2010: 10 complaints2011: 3 complaints2012: 1 complaints2015: 3 complaints
RL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all RL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Acura RL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1833%
Transmission1019%
Electrical System713%
Steering47%
Engine36%
Suspension36%
Brakes24%
Body & Structure24%
Tires & Wheels24%
Other12%
Seat Belts12%
Lighting12%

Does the 2002 Acura RL have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V027000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 875,966 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.

02V119000LightingMay 14, 2002 · 25,765 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS, OIL WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO PREVENT RUST. THIS OIL CAN LEAK INTO THE BRAKE STOP SWITCH AND CONTAMINATE THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS.

Consequence

EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CLEAN ANY EXCESS OIL FROM THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THE STOP SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 16, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED EIGHT TSBS ON THE AIR BAGS, BUT NO AIR BAG RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 5, 2018

“THE CAR HAS A KNOWN TSB THAT THE CAR MAY STALL AND SHUT DOWN IF IT IS AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE AND THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED 3 DAYS AGO. I WAS IN TRAFFIC WAITING IN TRAFFIC THE CAR JUST STALLED AND ROLLED BACK AND HIT THE GUY IN THE BACK LUCKY FOR ME IT WAS SITTING TRAFFIC.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 22, 2005 · crash

“HANI ANTON BRAMPTON, ONTARIO CANADA L6Y 4R4 ACURA 2002 RL PURCHASED NEW FROM ACURA 2000 BRAMPTON, ONTARIO, CANADA IN 2003 VSA (VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST) ACTIVATES PREMATURELY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF MY CAR. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED AND TYPE OF ROAD CONDITIONS (DRY OR WET PAVEMENT). I HAVE TAKEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 4, 2008

“THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN QUIT WORKING IN A POSITION THAT ISN'T GOOD FOR ME TO DRIVE, YOU CAN'T BUY A PART TO FIX THIS YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS A $2,500.00 REPAIR. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE POSITION IT QUIT WORKING FOR ME. I FEEL ACURA SHOULD FIX THIS OR REPLACE IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 2, 2015

“This is a continuation complaint with national cemter for dispute settlement to fix safty issues and discontinued parts. The car is not 40 years old and i cannot find a maintenance repair book. The power door locks are coming on and off and the fob key do not work Sutton acuta in macon said it…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 17, 2024

2002 Acura RL — common questions

Is the 2002 Acura RL reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 54 complaints put the 2002 model at #3 of 18 RL years. It is one of the RL years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 RL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (18 complaints), transmission (10 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints).

Does the 2002 Acura RL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Acura RL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Acura RL years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the RL years to avoid are 2005, 2000, 2002, 2006. The cleanest record among RL years belongs to 2012.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.